Means for electrolyzing liquids.



No. 66mm. Patented Nov. |900.

A. R. can-EVER. MEANS FR ELECTROLYZING LIUUIDS.

(Application Bled July 18, 1900.)

A TTOHNEY TN: Nonms Pneus cc. PNoYuumo. wAsmNGYoN, n4 cy lVliEANS FORELECTROLYZINGv LIQUIDS.

sPEcIPlcATIoN forming peut of Letters recent No. 661,340, dated Novembere, 1900.

Original application tiled May 17, 1900, Serial No. 16,982. Divided andthis application filed July 18, 1900. Serial N.

23,997. (No model.) f

T0 all wtom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, ALBERT R. GREVER, a citizen of the United States,residing` in the city and county of Philadelphia, in the State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Meansfor Electrolyzing Liquids, of which the following is a full, clear, andexact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,forming a part of this specification.

The present application is a division of an application for LettersPatent of the United States, Serial No. 16,982, filed by me May 17,1900, for an improvement in electric filters.

The subject of the present case relates to a simple and efficient meanswhereby water or other liquid may be subjected to the electrolyticaction of an electric current, the invention being especially though notexclusively designed for use in connection with water-filters.

In the preferred embodiment of myinvention electrodes of novelconstruction are arranged in the liquid-supply pipe and areconnectedwith the terminals of a secondary electric circuit, the primary circuitbeing normally broken adjacent to a suitably-disposed check-valve whichcontrols the passage of the liquid to a filter or other receiver. Thisvalve has provision for completing the circuit when the liquid isflowing to the filter, dto., and for breaking such circuit when the flowis checked. Vheu the primary circuit is thus completechthe liquidcoursing through the supply-pipe makes contact with the electrodes inthe latter, thereby completing the secondary circuit and being preforcesubjected to the electrolytic action of the current.

The invention also comprises various novel features of construction andorganization of parts, which will be hereinafter particularly describedand claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a liquid-supplypipe and adjuncts, showing the electrodes therein and the electricalconnections therefor. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the check-valve insaid pipe. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail as on the line x @c of Fig. 1.

1 is a filter or other receptacle, and 2 is a liquid-supply pipe leadingthereto. l/Vithin this pipe is a chock-'valve 3, the pivoted gate 4 ofwhich is disposed to permit the flow of the liquid to the filter, the.,yet prevent its return past the valve. This valve is also adapted duringthe passage of the liquid therethrough to complete a normally brokenelectric circuit, in which are included electrodes of novel constructionlocated within the supply-pipe in advance of the valve. Hence theelectric current passes through and effects a decomposition orelectrolysis of the liquid, thereby breaking up a part of the liquid andliberating therefrom oxygen and hydrogen with the production of ozone,which gases permeate the liquid and destroy the micro-organisms therein.

5 is a suitable source of electric energy, and 6 conductors leadingtherefrom and constituting a primary circuit.

7 is an induction-coil, and 8 conductors ileading therefrom andconstituting a secondary circuit. The primary circuit is interruptedexteriorly of the check-valve, the terminals thereof being secured tocontacts 9 on the valve-casing. On an outer extension of the valve-stem10 is affixed a contact-arm 11, which during the vibration of the valveswings upon and off the two contacts to make and break the circuitaccordingly. When the check-valve is open, the circuit is completed andwhen the valve is closed the circuit is broken.

The wires of the secondary circuit are led into the vertical membepi ofthe supply-pipe and are therein connected with suitable electrodes,between which the circuit is interrupted, so that the liquid on its wayto the checkvalve will make electrical contact with and between theelectrodes, and thus be charged with the electric current.

In the construction herein illustrated a central column 12, ofinsulating material, preferably glass or porcelain, is mounted withinthe lower portion of the supply-pipe, the column being fitted to a basalplug 13, screwed into the pipe. This column is perforated longitudinallywith two parallel openings la, through which the conductors of thesecondary circuit are extended, and thereby insulated from each other.In the body of the supply-pipe is a tubular section 15, of insulatingmaterial, preferably glass, provided with internal shoulders 16, onwhich are supported at suitable distance apart two rings IOO senseo 17of conducting material-such for example, as platinum. The column 12extends into this section and has affixed thereto two smallconducting-rings 18, which are encircled by the rings 17, respectively.The two rings 17 are electrically connected by a wire 18a, while the twoinner rings are likewise connected by a wire 18h. The terminals of theconductors extending through the central column areA connected with thetwo upper rings, respectively. Thus the inner rings constitute anelectrode for one of the conductors and the outer rings an electrode forthe other conductor of the secondary circuit, which electrodes areseparated from each other by an intervening space, through which theliquid flows on its passage to the filter or receiver, the electrodesbeing thereby connected to complete the secondary circuit and the liquidperforce being subjected to the electrolytic action of the current.

The tubular section 15 is detachably fitted to the supply-pipe, so thatthe former may be readily removed and replaced to facilitate therepairing, cleaning, or renewal of the internal electrical connections.In the present in stance the respective ends of the section are seatedin the ends of screw-threaded connections 19, which are screwed upon thef1ttings of the supply-pipe, these connections being preferably providedwith laterally-extending lugs 20, which are united by a tiebolt 2l.

The operation of the apparatus may be briefly described as follows:Water (or other liquid to be treated) is directed from a suitable sourceof supply to the lower end of the supply-pipe, thereupon rising in thelatter and making contact with the electrodes of the secondary circuit.AContinuing its How the liquid opens the check-valve 3 and passes to thefilter or receiver. l Upon the opening of the check-valve the primarycircuit is completed, thus energizing the secondary circuit and perforceeffecting the electrolysis of a part of the liquid passing in contactwith the electrodes, and thereby destroying the geruis, &c., in theliquid, as above explained.

I claim- 1. The combination with a receiver, and a supply pipe connectedtherewith, of electrodes in the supply-pipe in advance of said receiver,and electrical connections for said electrodes, together with a Valve insaid pipe, and means whereby the said connections are controlled by saidvalve, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a pipe, of two electrically-connected rings ofconducting material therein, and two smaller electrically-connectedrings therein of like material separated from the other rings, a sourceof electric energy, and electrical connections between the same and saidrings, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a pipe, and a check-valve therein, of electrodesin said pipe,

a source of electric energy, electrical connections between the same andsaid electrodes, and means whereby the electric circuit 1sconsubstantially as described.

4t. The combination with a pipe, and a check-valve therein,of electrodesin said pipe, a source of electric energy, an induction-coil,

Ya secondary circuit connected with the electrodes; a normally brokenprimary circuit, and means whereby the latter circuit is controlled bythe operation of the check-valve, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a filter, of a supply-pipe connected therewith,a Valve in said.

pipe in advance of the lilter, a source of electric energy, aninduction-coil, a primary circuit, a secondary circuit, and electrodesconnected with the latter circuit and arranged in the path of the liquidto be Filtered, together with means whereby one of said circuits is madeand broken by the operation of said valve, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a tubular section of insulating material, ofelectrically-com nected rings of conducting material supported therein,smaller electrically-connected rings of like material contained withinsaid section and separated from the other rings, a support for the innerrings, a source of electric energy, and electrical connections betweenthe same and the respective rings, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a supply-pipe including a detachable tubularsection, of electrically-connected rings of conducting materialsupported therein, smaller electricallyconnected rings of like materialcontained within said section and separated from the other rings, aperforated column of insulated "trolled by the operation of thecheck-valve,

IOO

material extending into said section and supporting the smaller rings,conductors extending through said column and electrically connected withthe respective rings, and a suitable source of electric energy,substantially as described.

8. The combination witha tubular section of insulating material, ofelectricallyconnected rings of conducting material supported therein,smaller electrically-connected rings of like material contained withinsaid section and separated from the other rings, a support for the innerrings, an induction-coil, a secondary circuit electrically connectedwith said rings, a normally broken primary circuit, a source of electricenergy, a check-valve on the supply-pipe, and means whereby the saidprimary circuit is controlled by the operation of the Valve,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN R. NoLAN, GEO. W. REED.

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